Frequently, when I am working on something like weeding, raking, washing dishes, doing simple paperwork, folding clothes or piecing quilts I listen to books on tape. Our public library has an extensive collection of them, so I can listen to old friends or visit with new books I've never met.
Right now, I have Stephen King's "The Stand." It's the unabridged version, and there are about 22 tapes. I have to return it on Monday, so the race is on to see if I can hear the entire book this week!
I've read "The Stand" at least twice in the past 25 years. Personally, I think it's the best book King has ever written, although I have to admit that I stopped reading his work after "Pet Sematary." He willingly admits that he goes for the most gross as he sets up the books, and his work lost his appeal at that point.
The interesting thing about hearing "The Stand" on tape is that it makes it scarier, if that's possible. I have always thought that it was better to read a book than to see a movie of the book. When you see a movie, you see someone else's interpretation of the book, altered by the time and money constraints of the film making. Generally, I'd rather have my own vision of the book playing through my mind.
